The first University Senate meeting of the semester lasted only 20 minutes and contained little general discussion, save for a few announcements.

Most of Wednesday’s meeting was conducted in senate subcommittees scattered throughout Maxwell Auditorium, where senators discussed upcoming plans and committee chair nominations. Chancellor Kent Syverud, who typically attends senate meetings, was out of town for an ACC Presidents and Chancellors Meeting, said Senate Moderator Can Isik.

Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Liz Liddy gave a brief report on the Academic Strategic Plan, a part of Syverud’s Fast Forward initiative that was completed in July. The university-wide plan focuses on improving the student experience, advancing research, supporting innovation and other areas.

Liddy encouraged senators to use the Fast Forward website to become involved in the implementation of the Academic Strategic Plan, which is subtitled “Trajectory to Excellence,” said Deborah Pellow, professor of anthropology.

“We have this new plan, so now we decide what needs to happen,” Pellow said.

The university is now looking for students, faculty and staff to become a part of working groups charged with developing specific goals for the plan and how to achieve those goals. Members of the SU community can nominate up to three people they feel are qualified to be a part of the working group until Sept. 14.

After Liddy spoke to the senate, each subcommittee discussed whom they plan to elect as chair. The Library Committee, which is one of 18 senate subcommittees, is close to selecting a chair, Pellow said.

John Coggiola, also a member of the Library Committee, said the committee plans to meet with the new dean of SU Libraries soon. Coggiola added that he hopes to strengthen the relationship between the committee and the libraries to improve research opportunities for students.

SU named David Seaman as Dean of Libraries in June — a move that Pellow said has made “the library staff all very happy.”

A recent report from the Senate Budget Committee said that in order for SU to be among the Top 50 Association of Research Libraries, it would need “an infusion of $7,000,000 plus regular increases” to bring SU equal to No. 50, which is currently held by the University of Notre Dame.

SU is currently at No. 84 in the Association of Research Libraries’ ranking of peer institutions.

Published on September 9, 2015 at 11:35 pm

Contact Annie: apalme05@syr.edu